Editorial: Best to decide school safety at home

While gun control continues to be a contentious issue in America, one thing all sides of this seemingly never-ending debate can agree on is school safety is paramount.

There are differing opinions — to say the least — on how to accomplish the objective of protecting children, teachers and administrators in our schools.

The best option, however, is local control.

In other words, let those same administrators who make decisions on a daily basis decide what works for their respective schools.

That’s why it is not difficult to support a recent decision by Childress Independent School District to allow certain employees to have access to firearms while on campus. (Childress board approves access to firearms by select school employees, Feb. 14, amarillo.com).

Different districts, not to mention different cities and towns, have different needs — and this is true in the area of school security.

While a final policy is in the works, Childress ISD will keep firearms in safe, secure places, with only certain school officials able to use the firearms.

In addition, Childress ISD plans to use a student resource police officer, which, on paper, resembles school liaison officers and law enforcement personnel employed for years by schools in Amarillo Independent School District and Canyon Independent School District.

No matter the title, the presence of an armed law enforcement officer on a school campus is an effective tool against all types of danger, not to mention criminal behavior, and Childress ISD should make funding this position a priority.

Childress ISD plans on implementing other safety measures, including alert buttons in classrooms that would automatically notify law enforcement should the need arise.

Schools are different as far as student population, distance from law enforcement personnel, number of teachers, funding and the lengths needed to ensure safety.

That’s why it is preferable for school officials to determine for themselves what is required to make sure their campuses are safe.